Nozzle for fuel and oxygen lance assembly

ABSTRACT

A lance for directing oxygen and fuel oil to a basic oxygen furnace includes a central fuel pipe, an insulating pipe around said fuel pipe, an oxygen pipe and water coolant pipes, all concentrically disposed. The central fuel pipe and insulating pipe have closed bottom walls and a plurality of relatively narrow fuel tubes are connected to bores in the bottom wall of the fuel tube, extend through the bottom wall of the insulating pipe and extend into three converging-diverging orifices. The narrow fuel tubes are supported in cantilever fashion and are concentric with each orifice.

v United States Patent i191 Rymarchyk et al.

[11} 3,823,929 [451 July 16, 1974 NOZZLE FOR FUEL AND OXYGEN LANCEASSEMBLY [75] Inventors: Nicholas M. Rymarchyk, Pittsburgh;

Leo L. Meinert, Baden, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: Berry Metal Company, Harmony,

22 Filed: Sept. 13, 1973 [211 A No.: 396,912

52 U.S.Cl ..266/34L 51 Int. Cl. ..F27d 23/00 58 Field of Search239/1323; 266/34 L,4l

[56] v References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,070,049 5/1967Great Britain 266/34 L Primary Examiner-Gerald A. Dost Attorney, Agent,or FirmHilmond O. Vogel 57 ABSTRACT A lance for directing oxygen andfuel oil to a basic oxygen furnace includes a central fuel pipe, aninsulating pipe around said fuel pipe, an oxygen pipe and water coolantpipes, all concentrically disposed. The central fuel pipe and insulatingpipe have closed bottom walls and a plurality of relatively narrow fueltubes are connected to bores in the bottom wall of the fuel tube, extendthrough the bottom wall of the insulating pipe and extend into threeconverging-diverging orifices. The narrow fuel tubes are supported incantilever fashion and-are concentricwith each orifice.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL I 61914 3.823.929

sum 1 UF 3 l v NOZZLE FOR FUEL AND OXYGEN LANCE ASSEMBLY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Application Ser. No. 396,911 filedSept. 13, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 2,991,173 7/4/61 75/52 Trentini andVayssiere 3,076,642 2/5/63 266/41 Dhenein 3,313,535 4/11/67 266/34Hopkins 3,342,473 9/19/67 266/41 White 3,556,497 l/19/7l 266/34 Grenfell3,608,881 9/28/71 266/41 Yordanov et a1. 3,626,501 12/7/71 266/41 Bairdet a1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present lance includes five concentricpipes, with a central fuel pipe having a transverse first closure wall.An insulating pipe around said closure wall also lance assembly 10comprises a first inner pipe 13 which is utilized for the flow of fueloil, or similar type of fuel,

adapted to effectively mix with the oxygen at the nozzle end and to bedirected therewith to the interior of a basic oxygen furnace to providefor the refining of steel. The basic oxygen process is well known tothose skilled in the art andthe physical and organic reactions occurringin the steel-and bath assembly as a result of the oxygen and fuel flowneed not be described in detail since the present invention is primarilydirected to the construction of the lance assembly.

The first inner pipe 13 which extends substantially the full length ofthe lance is surrounded and concentric with a second insulating pipe 14which provides therebetween an insulating space 15. As disclosed in FIG.2, the upper end of the pipe 13 is provided with an enlargement andwhich has integral therewith an enlarged sleeve 16 of piston-likeconfiguration. The enlarged piston type sleeve is provided with'aplurality of 0 sealing rings 17. The sealing rings 17 may be of anyincludes a second transverse closure wall below said first wall.Thelance end or nozzle is of the multiple type including three equallyspaced orifices of conver-. gent-divergent cylindrical wallconstruction. Three relatively narrow fuel tubes are secured to thefirst wall, communicate with the first or central fuel pipe and projectthrough the second wall in cantilever relation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective viewdisclosing one embodiment of the gas injection lance of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross'sectional view disclosing a. top adapter assembly ofthe injection lance shown in FIG. 1-

portion or nozzle end of a gas injection lance;

FIG. 4 is a detail view in cross section taken substantially along theline 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail cross sectional view through the uppermost part of anadaptor assembly showing a modified detail of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6of FIG. 3.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings,an oxygen fuel lance assembly is designated at 10 and includes a topassembly 11 and a lower nozzle or lance tip designated at 12. The

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view through the lower I suitableconventional construction and O-type sealing rings are effective forthis purpose. A stub pipe 18 is in mating relation with respect to thesleeve 16 and is'provided at its upper end with an adaptor connection 19which may be suitably connected to a source of fuel oil. The lower endof the stub pipe 18 is provided with a piston sleeve portion 20,alsoincluding a plurality of sealing rings 21. The second insulatingpipe 14 is also similarly provided with an enlarged piston sleeve 22 atits upper end which projects upwardly beyond the sleeve 16. The pistonsleeve 22 is also provided with a plurality of seals 23.

A third pipe is indicatedat 24 and is provided with an extension orlower section 24, the connection therebetween which will be laterdescribed. The third pipe 24 has connected thereto an oxygen inletconnection 26 which provides for the flow of oxygen through an oxygenpassage 25 provided between the pipe 24 and the pipe 14. As best shownin the upper portions of FIGS. 1 and 2, a cover plate 27 is removablyconnected by means of cap screws 28 to the upper ends of a sleeve orbushing 29. For the purposes of terminology, the piston sleeves 16 maybe simply referred to as sleeves, as well as the bushing 29, since theyare of sleeve-like construction and are all connected to respectivepipes. The sleeve 29 is provided with a circumferential flange 30 andhas also connected thereto a reduced portion 31 which is in overlappingengagement with the upper end of the third pipe 24. Since the upperterminal ends of the enlarged sleeves l6 and 22 are disposed below or inspaced relation with respect to the cover plate 27, there is provided aspace or chamber 32. The upper portions of the bushing 29 are providedwith a pair of threaded bores 33, only one of which is shown in FIG. 4,the said bores 33 having contained therein threaded plugs 34 which eachinclude a vent bore 35 adapted to vent the chamber 32 to the atmosphere.A circumferential flange 36 is connected to the flange 30 by means ofbolt and nut assemblies 37. A circumferential flange 38 is connected tothe third pipe 24 and a fourth pipe 39 is provided with a flange 40suitably connected to the flange 38 by means of bolt and nut assemblies41. A flange 42 is sandwiched between flanges 38 and 40, the said flange42 being provided on a bushing or sleeve 43 which is provided with acircumferential seal 44 in sealingengagement with respect to the fourthpipe 39. The flange 42 is sealed against the 3 flange 40 by means of acircumferential seal 45. A vent space orchamber 46 is provided betweenthe pipe 24 and the bushing 43, the same being vented to the atmosphereby virtue of a pair of vent Openings 46'. As shown in FIG. 2, the thirdpipe 24 consists of two sections and the section 24' is provided with anupwardly extending sleeve 47 which is in sliding engagement with apiston sleeve 48 connected to the lower end of the third pipe 24.Suitable seals 49 on the piston sleeve 48 are in sealing engagement withan inner surface of the sleeve 47 and similarly, seals 50 on the sleeve47 are in sealing relation with respect to the cylindrical surface ofthe bushing or sleeve 43.

The third pipe section 24' and fourth pipe extension section 39' providea water directing space 51 which communicates with the water inlet 52. Aflange 53 is connected to the lower end of the section 39 and theextension 39 of the pipe 39 provides a passage 54 in communication withthe water circulating space 51. A flange 55 is connected to a fifth pipe57 and suitable bolt and nut connections 56 connect flanges 53 and 55.The lower portions of the fifth pipe 57 are connected by means'of aflange 59 to which is connected a downwardly projecting pipe extension57 providing for a continuation of the pipe 57. The fifth pipe 57provides for a water outlet space 60 which is fed by means of a watercirculating space 60' formed by the fifth pipe extension 57 therebycirculating water outwardly through the discharge pipe 58.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, the lower or nozzle end 12 of thelance will be described. The fifth pipe extension 57' extends downwardlyand is suitably connected by welding to a dish-shaped lower ortransverse wall 61 having upwardly extending peripheral edge portions 62conforming and being connected to the-pipe extension 57. The pipeextension 57' may consist of suitable similar extensions connectedtogether by welding, these additional extensions not being designatedseparately but being considered part of the fifth pipe arrangement. Thesame is true for the 4 nozzle arrangement 12, only one of which isshown. The cylindrical walls 70 are cooled by means of the watercirculating within the chamber 66. The lower ends of each of thecylindrical walls 70 are provided with an outlet orifice 71 throughwhich the combined fuel and oxygen flows into the oxygen vessel of a BOFoperation. Each orifice 71 is of converging diverging type in that acylindrical diverging wall portion 74 is provided at the upper end ofthe orifice 71 and communicates with a cylindrical portion 73 ofconstant diameter throughout its length, the said cylindrical portion 73then communicating with the diverging cylindrical portion 74 extendingto the end of the nozzle tip. Each of the orifices 74 is provided with afuel tube 75 welded within an opening 76 in' the closure wall 67. Eachfuel tube 75 extends through an opening 77 provided in the other pipesin that the extensions are provided and are necessary to form slipjoints accommodating the longitudinal expansion and contraction to whichthese assemblies are subjected by extreme temperatures. The pipeextension 39', for instance, is provided with a re duced portion 63which is in relative sliding and mating relation with a pipe extension64 which still is considered an extension of the pipes 39 and 39'. Thistype of arrangement accommodates the contractions and expansions whichoccur. The extension 64 is provided at its lower end with a skirt 65defining a portion of an enlarged cooling chamber 66.

The present nozzle arrangement is of the multiple orifice type, meaningthat in this case three orifices are utilized. FIG. 3 discloses only onesuch orifice since they are identical and are equally spaced about thecircumference of the nozzle arrangement 12. The dishshaped lower wall 61which encloses the lower end of the nozzle can be described astransverse in that it extends across the lower end of the pipe section57'. Similarly, an arcuate but nevertheless somewhat transverse closurewall 67 encloses the lower end of the first inner pipe 13. Similarly,the insulating pipe 14 is enclosed by a transverse or generally arcuateclosure wall 68. A similarly extending wall 69 encloses the oxygen spacewhich is provided between the pipes 14 and 24. Three cylindrical walls70 are provided in the lower end of the transverse closure walls 68 towhich it is also welded. The fuel tube is thus supported in cantileverrelation relative to the tubes 13 and 14 and projects centrally into thenozzle 71 terminating slightly below the terminal end of the constantcylindrical wall portion 73. The tube 75 is also supported as best shownin FIGS. 3 and 6 by means of spacers 78 and 79 in turn rigidly welded tothe cylindrical converging wall portion 72. Each tube 75 thus iseffectively supported within each orifice 71, yet permitting the freeflow of oxygen and fuel through the ends of each orifice.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and particularly to the portion of theinsulating pipe 14 below its piston sleeve 22, there is provided athreaded test opening 80 which is normally closed by means of a threadedplug 81. Similarly, referring now to the modification of FIG. 5, theparts are identical except that the piston sleeve 16 forming part of thefirstpipe 13 is provided with one or more passages 82 which communicateat their lower ends with the insulating space 15, the said passage 82being normally closed at its upper end by means of a threaded plug 83.

THE OPERATION In the operation of the lance, it is supported at itsupper end by means of a suitable crane type structure above a bathprovided in a basic oxygen furnace. The nozzle is disposed apredetermined distance from the bath and fuel oil may enter through thestub pipe 18,

whereupon it flows to the ends thereof and out through One of theprimary features of the invention is the easily repairable feature andalso the ease with'which the sealing surfaces and seals may beinspected. When the removable bushing 29 is removed by removal of thebolts 37, the seals 23 may be immediately inspected and replaced.Further, by the removal of the stub pipe 18, the seals 21 may be eitherinspected or replaced.

As indicated in the above referenced Berry patent, the vent chamber isextremely important in venting any leaking oxygen to the atmospherebefore it can be intermixed with other elements which might be leaking.In other words, oxygen which may leak past the seals 23 immediately isvented to the atmosphere through the vent openings 35. The threadedbores 33 also serve the purpose of permitting the insertion of a testnipple replacing the one-half inch plug which is shown in FIG. 4. A testnipple may be a portion of a pressure testing unit which provides highpressure fluid into the vent chamber 32 for the purpose of testing theseals 23 and 21.

The insulating pipe 14 provides an insulating space 15 which serves as asafety chamber between the oxygen passage in the event that there is aleakage of any of the connections of the pipe 13. As indicatedpreviously, the pipes may all be made in sections which are weldedtogether and any leakage such as could occur because of an improper weldin the fuel tube 13 will be taken care of because of the insulatingspace 15. The seal 17 prevents the escape of fuel oil from theinsulating chamber, but in the event some does escape by the seals 17,the same is carried from the vent chamber 32 through the vent openingsand is quickly noticed the operator so that the operation may be haltedfor repair.

The threaded test opening 80 and pipe plug arrangement 81 also serve adistinct and effective purpose during the testing procedure of thelance. In order to properly test the welds and the seals 17 upon partialdisassembly of the upper end of the arrangement, a suitable nipple isattachedto the threaded opening 18 to direct water under pressure intothe insulating chamber 15 thereby providing for the desired test of theseals 17 and the welds of the various sections of the pipes involved. Itis apparent that in view of the arrangement of the sleeves 16, 22 andbushing 29 with their respective seals, vertical expansion andcontraction of the pipes is accommodated. Expansion of the pipe 39 andsection 39' is accommodated as shown in FIG. 3 by the sliding slip jointor reduced section 63 relative to the pipe extension 64.

FIG. 5 shows a modified arrangement. In this case the sleeve 16 isprovided with one or more vertical passages 82 which communicates withthe insulating chamber 15. In the pressure tests of the seals 17 thepassages 82 would be closed by the pipe plug 83. Thus, the seals 17would be effectively tested. However, it is contemplated that the seals17 could be eliminated or the passage 82 could remain open so as topermit any leakage from the chamber 15 to be immediately directed intothe chamber 32 where it would become quickly visible to the operator.Thus, the alternate is provided in that during operation where the seals17 are employed the operator may remove the pipe plug 83, opening thebore 82 to accommodate the free flow of escaping fuel oil into the ventchamber 32, whereupon it would be quickly noticed due to leakageoutwardly of the vent openings. In this type of modification the O-ringsor seals 17 would be primarily utilized in the pressure testing of theunit, but would not have any effect during the normal operation of thelance, since the passages 82 would be open.

A further advantage is the provision of the venting chamber 46 and thevent opening 46. Thus, any leakage of oxygen past the seals 49 wouldimmediately appear in the chamber 46 and be dissipated through theopenings 46'. The advantages of the quickly removable disconnect of thebushing 43 is also apparent, the same permitting quick inspection of theseals and proper replacement of any portions of this particularassembly. Thus, it is also apparent that the arrangement permitspressure testing of the lance prior to its use which is not accomplishedor contemplated in the prior art.

Referring now particularly to the nozzle structure disclosed, the tubesare effectively cantilevered on the lower ends of the pipes 13 and 14,and thus an effective operation is secured.

The cantilever arrangement of the tubes 75 provides for a stronganchoring of said tubes. Further, the spacers 78 and 79 further supportthe tubes 75in the orifices 71 effectively and thereby eliminate thetendency of vibration which would otherwise occur. Yet the passage ofoxygen through the orifices is facilitated and Y mixture of oxygen andoil is achieved in the diverging position of the orifice therebyeffectively mixing and discharging the combination.

What is claimed is:

1. For a lance adapted for mixing oxygen and fuel and including,

a first central fuel pipe,

a second pipe concentric with said first pipe and providing aninsulating space around said fuel pipe,

a third pipe concentric with and providing an oxygen conveying spacearound said second pipe,

fourth and fifth pipes concentric with each other and said other pipesproviding concentric coolant circulating spaces;

a nozzle head,

a first lower closure wall connected at its peripheral edge to saidfifth pipe,

at least one cylindrical passage means opening outwardly of said firstclosure wall to provide an oxygen and fuel discharge orifice,

an extension of said fourth pipe providing at a lower portion of saidnozzle head a coolant chamber surrounding said cylindrical passage andcommunicating with said coolant circulating spaces,

a second closure wall on said third pipe above said first closure wall,

a third closure wall on said second pipe enclosing said insulating spaceand being disposed above said second closure wall,

a fourth closure wall on said first pipe disposed above said thirdclosure wall, and

a tube connected to said fourth closure wall and communicating with saidfirst fuel pipe,

said tube being connected to and extending through said third closurewall, and

said tube having a discharge end terminating within said cylindricalpassage in spaced relation relative to said oxygen and fuel dischargeorifice. 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said closure walls extending-transversely to the axis of said lance.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

wherein said tube is supported on said third and fourth closure walls incantilever relation.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3,

said discharge orifice having a cylindrical wall portion converginginwardly and then outwardly toward said first closure wall.

5. The invention in accordance'with claim 4,

said cylindrical wall having a portion thereof disposed between saidconverging diverging portion of constant cross sectional diameter.

7 8 6. The invention in accordance with claim 5, 8. The invention inaccordance with claim 7, the discharge end of sald tube terminatingoutwardly Said Supporting means including circumferentiany relative tosaid portion of constant cross section. 7. The invention in accordancewith claim 3, including supporting means for supporting an inter- Jacentto 531d coolant Chambermediate portion of said tube on said third pipe.

spaced space elements supported in said orifice ad-

1. For a lance adapted for mixing oxygen and fuel and including, a firstcentral fuel pipe, a second pipe concentric with said first pipe andproviding an insulating space around said fuel pipe, a third pipeconcentric with and providing an oxygen conveying space around saidsecond pipe, fourth and fifth pipes concentric with each other and saidother pipes providing concentric coolant circulating spaces; a nozzlehead, a first lower closure wall connected at its peripheral edge tosaid fifth pipe, at least one cylindrical passage means openingoutwardly of said first closure wall to provide an oxygen and fueldischarge orifice, an extension of said fourth pipe providing at a lowerportion of said nozzle head a coolant chamber surrounding saidcylindrical passage and communicating with said coolant circulatingspaces, a second closure wall on said third pipe above said firstclosure wall, a third closure wall on said second pipe enclosing saidinsulating space and being disposed above said second closure wall, afourth closure wall on said first pipe disposed above said thIrd closurewall, and a tube connected to said fourth closure wall and communicatingwith said first fuel pipe, said tube being connected to and extendingthrough said third closure wall, and said tube having a discharge endterminating within said cylindrical passage in spaced relation relativeto said oxygen and fuel discharge orifice.
 2. The invention inaccordance with claim 1, said closure walls extending transversely tothe axis of said lance.
 3. The invention in accordance with claim 1,wherein said tube is supported on said third and fourth closure walls incantilever relation.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, saiddischarge orifice having a cylindrical wall portion converging inwardlyand then outwardly toward said first closure wall.
 5. The invention inaccordance with claim 4, said cylindrical wall having a portion thereofdisposed between said converging diverging portion of constant crosssectional diameter.
 6. The invention in accordance with claim 5, thedischarge end of said tube terminating outwardly relative to saidportion of constant cross section.
 7. The invention in accordance withclaim 3, including supporting means for supporting an intermediateportion of said tube on said third pipe.
 8. The invention in accordancewith claim 7, said supporting means including circumferentially spacedspace elements supported in said orifice adjacent to said coolantchamber.